The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1887-04-09
The MORMONS EXlORT
THEMEMBERS OF THEIR CHURCH
10 Be VIGOROUS
Observers Of Their Duties and Stand
True TO Principles They Have
Esp0used.

PRovo, UTAH, April Sat {
general conference of the Mormon
Church today epistles were read from
Presidents Taylor, Cannon and Smith,
Of she FIRST presidency Of the church. II
congratulates the p ople on the peace
and prosperity that is attending them,
and of the increased growth OF Nor.
monism, Notwithstanding the efforts
OF its enemies to the contrary; exho tt
them to be vigorous observers OF the
duties, and stand true to the principle
espoused from the organization OF the
church and the various agencies EN-.
ploRd to effect its overthrow. False
hood tradition, deep rooted prejudica
and violence have tried in vain, and q
new crusade hiss been inaugurated in
the form Of legislative tyranny carried
on by cunning adventures and rsck
lees fanatics, Referring to the Ell
munds law Of 1882, it says the ground
taken by its promoters was that the
violation Of the soundest political
principles, even the constitution itself,
were both praiseworthy and justifia.
BILE II necessary to take the political
rule OF Utah from the Mormon msj1r
ty and give it to anti Mormon minority
and, having so acted in the past, it is
not unexpected that other and more
outrageous attempts will be made t.
accomplish the purpose. Their sue.
cess In securing the passage of the
original E1munds la3 emboldened
them to make the most extraordinary
demsnds for further legislation. l.
says in regard to the Edmunds- Tucker
law: 1t Is generally considered that
no such law was ever enacted in this
country before, and it's parallel is only
found In medieval times, when mems
ideas were confined to such grants ss
despotiC governments chose to give
them. Persons interfering with church
property, etc., contrary to the iDten-
ton of the donors, violation to eccle-
csistital rights, con6scation aud spoil
atiop, disf,anchisement of women
without even an allegation OF crime
against them. contrary exercise ct des.
potic power without a parallel in
Republican history. The whole
bill betrays an attempt to pave
the way of tie domination of the
majority by the minority bsCauss the
majority is composed of members who
srs unpopular in the church. Refer
ring to the disincorpoTation of tue
church, grave doubts are entertained
as to its being a corporation, aud if it
is yet decided TO be a corporation, it is
possible after the Territory granted a
char or of incorporation, which Con-
gress for long years permitted to re.
main unchallenged, the latter body
can row revoke thst charter and APP
propriate the proceeds OF this property
to such uses rs the majority in Con-
gress may designate. If 80, are we,
with all the people of the territories,
living under government and law,
or are We and all our rights as fres
mep, subject to the whim aud caprice
of ths National Congress Refsrriny Z
to the test oath, it says: Uoders and
ing fully, therefore, all the conee-
quences, they who do 80 have gener-
ally resolved to take the oath rather
than to be victims of political dema-
goguery. But this willingness does
not divest the oath OF lis enormity or
unconstitutional character. The rule OF
Ia v is, msn is presumed innocent OF
ohense and intention to commit Of.
fenses until proven guilty. By the
Eimunds-Tucker + law it is presumed
thst the citizens CT Utah are disposed
to violate the law, aud we must there
fore rebut the presumption by taking
the oath.